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Guy Goodfellow’s nuanced, delicately refined approach to the renovation of a historic Georgian estate in the English countryside has a lot to teach us about splitting form and function in the most workaday of residential realms—namely, the bathrooms. The schemes are partly a consequence of circumstance—the house was built before the advent of indoor plumbing, some parts as early as the 13th century, so mod-cons like showers and bathtubs were retrofitted later—but largely the result of inclination: London-based Goodfellow and his firm’s creative director, Steven Rodel, are wont to lean into sumptuousness for such spaces. “We don’t like to treat them as purely utilitarian,” says Goodfellow. “We often convert a neighboring bedroom to make sure we have enough square footage to do something luxurious. It’s nice to have soft finishes and enable people to treat a bathroom like a dressing room or a boudoir—a proper, classical space that’s an extension of the bedroom.”
Here, some of his secrets for creating your own cosseting kingdom.
Twig Trellis wallpaper by Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam wraps a light-filled bathroom. Austrian blind in Volga linen. Moonstone pendant, Jones Antique Lighting.
1. DECK THE WALLS “In a house like this, you want moments of surprise,” says Goodfellow. “Wallpaper allows for that—it changes the atmosphere of the space, making it feel richer and more layered.” To wit, he wrapped one entire bathroom in a trellis print, which “introduces structure without overwhelming the space.” Plexiglas panels cover the walls around the tub and shower to help avoid water damage.
2. DO SOME WINDOW DRESSING Especially in historic homes, “curtains play an important role in modulating light and temperature,” says Goodfellow. “But there’s a balance to strike—you want softness, but you don’t want anything overly fussy.” In one serene gray-and-ivory space, swooshy curtains made from a classic Bennison print in a warm colorway “add a sense of romance without feeling too heavy.” In the trellis-wallpapered room, a voluptuous Austrian blind was reimagined in a light, airy linen for a more modern effect.
Curtains in a Bennison fabric with Samuel & Sons trim add softness in this bathroom. Bathtub, The Water Monopoly. Faux-paneled walls in Farrow & Ball’s Elephant’s Breath and Skimming Stone.
ASTRID TEMPLIER3. HIT THE FLOOR One notable feature shared by these spaces: There’s not a single tiled floor in sight. “We wanted to create rooms to spend time in, and wood floors make them feel more inviting,” says Goodfellow. “It also creates continuity, so the bathrooms seem less like isolated spaces.” Walnut planks were sealed for practicality but tacked down with visible nails so they felt period-correct without compromising modern durability; rugs add an extra dose of comfort.
Shower enclosure, West One Bathrooms. Vanity basin, Armitage Shanks, and fixtures, Drummonds. Rug, Robert Kime. Sconces, Charles Edwards.
ASTRID TEMPLIER4. RETHINK YOUR PLUMBING PLAN Plot out elements like sinks, tubs, and shower stalls as you would sofas, chairs, and tables in a living room. “Showers are always a problem in these interiors because they’re the one thing that interrupts the eye,” warns Goodfellow. “You normally have to insert a slab of marble or tile in the corner, which doesn’t align with the boudoir feeling.” His solution? A freestanding glass-walled model, which minimizes its visual weight. Tubs can also flout against-the-wall conventions: Position one in the center of a room to capitalize on a postcard view or proximity to the ultimate bathroom luxury—a roaring fireplace.
Fez wallpaper by Guy Goodfellow Collection. Toilet, Lefroy Brooks. Rug, Jenny Hicks Beach.
ASTRID TEMPLIER5. EMBRACE THE OLD “Antiques provide a sense of permanence, a feeling that the space has always been there. They also keep the room from feeling too clinical—no one wants a bathroom that looks like a hotel,” says Goodfellow, who will often repurpose such pieces for practical ends: A 19th-century commode or painted demilune table might be converted into a vanity, or an antique writing desk used as a stately dressing table, or a campaign chest topped with glass to protect against inevitable splashes. “We’re always balancing refinement with practicality,” adds Rodel. “Older pieces give a space character, but they have to work for modern life.”
THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN VOLUME 16 OF FREDERIC MAGAZINE. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE!
